HELEN – The Helen Chamber of Commerce recently announced the cancellation of its nightly Oktoberfest celebration in the Festhalle due to COVID-19 restrictions, but city government and the rest of the town are gearing up to celebrate the town’s largest annual event beginning this week.
The event traditionally begins Thursday night and runs weekends in September then daily during October.
The parade is set for noon Saturday, Aug. 12, and will follow the normal parade route from the welcome center on Edelweiss Strasse to Chattahoochee Street, turning north onto Main Street at the Marketplatz.
“We are excited that we’re going to be able to do our annual parade this year, of course celebrating our 50th Oktoberfest celebration,” said Jerry Brown, executive director of the Alpine Helen-White County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We do have signs posted throughout the parade route, asking folks to abide by the CDC guidelines and social distancing, even wearing masks if folks are too close. The city is offering masks along the parade route, free of charge, for folks to be able to use if they forgot to bring theirs.”
Brown said with the length of the parade route, he and other city officials hope people who attend will spread out rather than bunch up at the intersection of Chattahoochee Street and Main Street.
About three dozen entries had been received for the parade as of the close of business Thursday, with more expected.
“We do anticipate at least 10 more to join us on Sept. 12 for the parade,” Brown said, adding officials would like to have 50 entries since this is the 50th year.
“We may get there,” Brown said. “I think we will.”
Anyone who still wants to enter the parade should contact the CVB at (706) 878-2181. Lineup will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday.
A change for this year’s parade is a restriction on items distributed from floats and other entries.
“We have asked that folks not throw candy or other items to the attendees of the parade, just to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to keep that COVID spread down this year.”
‘Open air’ celebrations planned
Most restaurants in Helen will have outdoor cafes set up for patrons attending Oktoberfest. While alcohol may be consumed on premises at participating establishments, it may not be carried from one establishment to another.
Keg tapping events will be handled differently this year due to Coronavirus restrictions.
“We will have keg tappings, but all outdoors and it will be at certain restaurants during the month of October,” Brown said. “We do want that, because that is part of our celebration.”
A tentative schedule of tapping events is as follows:
- Sept. 12 – 1:30 p.m. at Cowboys & Angels, 2:30 p.m. at Troll Tavern, 3:30 at Café International, and 4:30 p.m. at Bodense,
- Sept. 19 – noon at Konig Ludwig Bier Garten, 1 p.m. at Two Tire Tavern, 2 p.m. at Hofer’s Bakery, and 3 p.m. at Betty’s Country Store,
- Sept. 26 – noon at Slice of Helen, 1 p.m. at Old Bavarian Inn, 2 p.m. at Alpine Brew Deck, 3 p.m. at Old Heidelberg, and 4 p.m. at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant,
- Oct. 3 – noon at Monday’s Pub, 1 p.m. at Spice 55, 2 p.m. at Blauerwolf Brewery, 3 p.m. at Helen Wine Company, 4 p.m. (tentative) at Bigg Daddy’s, and 5 p.m. (tentative) at Hayloft.
Meeting with merchants, residents and members of Faschingsverein Helen recently, Helen City Commissioners said they will do what they can to help ensure the six-week Oktoberfest period is successful for everyone in the city.
“With Munich cancelling theirs this year, we will be celebrating the largest outdoor Oktoberfest celebration in the world,” Brown said.
Volksmarch set Oct. 24
Additionally, the Faschingsverein will be hosting a 5k Volksmarch through Helen on Oct. 24. The first 100 registered participants who finish the route will receive a free pin if their card is returned by 2 p.m.
In Germany, a Volksmarch is an organized walk along a specified route. In Helen, participants will follow a designated trail around Helen, getting their participation cards marked along the route
Registration for the Volksmarch will be held from 7-10 a.m., and the event will end at 2 p.m.
